You made a difference

[Graehstone]

How quickly time does fly and how quickly that life is snuffed out for whatever reason, be it War or disease or just plain old age, poof and it’s over with.
We get up from our computers to go to the bathroom and never return, or to check the mail real quick leaving the sites up and running forever and ever for there is nobody to shut them off or even find our bodies, in some cases perhaps days … hopefully not longer.
Should there be someone to notice your passing, do they know that there are many, here on the net that mourn and are touched by it?
Do they (we, on the net) have a right to know?
I think yes, very much so, for you are not only defined by the “physical” things that you do but rather also the “picture” that you have cultivated in others minds here on the net that do not know you in the “real” world but have come to, if perhaps not love, then at the very least respect you for the person that you are.
Here on the net we are perhaps closer to each other than ever possible in the real world because of the lack of preconceptions that pop up when first confronted with someone in every day life.
Had I ever met Sir Stephen Hawking, not knowing who he was, I would never have surmised that he is the Albert Einstein of the modern day simply because of his physical appearance, he is wheelchair bound and suffers from what we call Lou Gehrig’s disease and needs the help of technology to speak, but has a mind and intellect second to none on the planet.
What I am saying I guess is that many of you have enriched my life in ways that would otherwise never have happened, for that I am thankful and also shamed that it is even so to begin with because I too am burdened with these preconceptions, bias’ and prejudices. That a medium such as this faceless, and certainly soulless, creation we call the internet can bring people from all walks of life together to form bonds that last a lifetime is incredible and speaks volumes for the need of Mans longing to be a part of something larger, reaching out to others and his ingenuity to even make it possible.
I have been on the “Net” for nearly ten years now and have made many acquaintances and even a few friends, I have been fortunate enough to have had the immense honor and pleasure of meeting some of these fine folks in real life and, but for once, came away blessed and feeling good about the world every time for having done so.
I have also witnessed the passing of someone dear to me from the net every one of those ten years.
I too shall one day, hopefully far in the future, have a “last post” and I too will probably not be missed for some time till someone comes looking and posts the news.
I too shall fall to the wayside and be a footnote in the nets history and a vague memory for some of you as on occasion someone will ask, “What ever happened to …?”
But for those few friends that will mourn, I wish you wouldn’t, I wish that you would celebrate.
Celebrate the fact that I am free from earthy chains and all its toils, and even pleasures, but if you must mourn then do so for the fact that you are left behind and still have your yolks to carry.
Those that have gone before me will forever remain a part of me as I have a place set aside for them in my heart and mind where they will always be loved, cherished and most importantly remembered.
Their lives made a difference; all of yours do, even if it’s nothing more than bringing a smile to my face on a dark day, you made a difference.
Here’s to that we all leave a legacy of peace, love and kindness in our wake as we barrel down this road we call life.
May all your days be filled with Health, Love and Happiness and your nights with Passion.

Graehstone

[ROYJOY]

well said, my sentiments exactly, thank you for this. since lees passing, i've decided to leave instructions with a friend, on how to notify BB of my passing, so that folks just dont think i simply got bored and left the group. i concider you all, dear friends.

[CrazyforCockatiels]

Beautifully said, Graehstone. You've made a difference!

ROYJOY- You are a dear friend, too!

[LouieBird]

AMEN

"Should there be someone to notice your passing, do they know that there are many, here on the net that mourn and are touched by it?
Do they (we, on the net) have a right to know?"

Absolutely. We may be connected by wires and a keyboard but we share our feelings and passions and experiences with others that we may never meet in person. I have never met Lee. But I feel I know her personally from my short time here. If Glenda did not let us know of her passing we may have never known. Her own family had no idea of BB and what it meant to her.

This probably should start as a new thread, but Graehstone raises a very important question that all of us need to think about and plan for.

Brad

[GlendaNS]

See, this is why I love it here!!!!

Ya'all are sweet!

Sumptin bout dem bird people, hummm!

Beautiful!!!

[jimpierce7]

Bless you Mike, bless you.

[tweet52]

BEAUTIFUL